Matthew 7:24–27 (NKJV)

1. Matthew 7:24–27 (NKJV) 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

2. Begin With a Solid Foundation

3. Being Married to An Unbeliever Is Not a Sin 1 Corinthians 7:11–13 (NKJV) 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

4. If You Are Married to An Unbeliever There Is Still Hope 1 Peter 3:1 (NKJV) 1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives…

5. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever Jewish Nation: Deuteronomy 7:1–5 (NKJV) 1 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you…seven nations greater and mightier than you, 2 and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. 5 But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire.

6. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever Jewish Nation: Romans 15:4 (NKJV) 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

7. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever Solomon: Nehemiah 13:26 (NKJV) 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin.

8. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever What are we to do with those who reject the truth? Matthew 10:14 (NKJV) 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 2 John 10 (NKJV) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

9. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever What are we to do with divisive people who will not accept the truth? Titus 3:9–10 (NKJV) 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition

10. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever What are we to do with those who cause divisions? Romans 16:17 (NKJV) 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

11. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever What about people who are “religious”? John 4:24 (NKJV) 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

12. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever What about people who are “religious”? 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NKJV) 6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 (NKJV) 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

13. Warnings Against Marrying the Unsaved & the Unbeliever Other Examples: Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite (Gen. 24:1-4) Esau’s foreign (unbelieving Hittite) wives they were a “…grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.” (Gen. 26:35) Rebekah did not want Jacob to marry a Canaanite (Gen. 27:46-28:5) When the people in Ezra married foreign wives they were commanded saying, “Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives.” - Ezra 10:11 (NKJV)

14. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked”

15. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” 2 Corinthians 6:14–17 (NKJV) 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

16. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” You will not have the same goal. Amos 3:3 (NKJV) 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Luke 11:17 (NKJV) 17 …“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.

17. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” You will not have the same goal. You will not have the same interests.

18. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” You will not have the same goal. You will not have the same interests. You will have more difficulty doing good works for the Lord.

19. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” You will not have the same goal. You will not have the same interests. You will have more difficulty doing good works for the Lord. You will not be strengthened in your faith like you need to be.

20. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” You will not have the same goal. You will not have the same interests. You will have more difficulty doing good works for the Lord. You will not be strengthened in your faith like you need to be. You will not be able to share spiritual things with your spouse.

21. Difficulties That May Arise From Marrying an Unbeliever Marrying Unbelievers May Turn Our Heart From the Lord. Marrying Unbelievers May Turn the Hearts of the Children From the Lord Marrying Unbelievers Makes One “Unequally Yoked” You will not have the same goal. You will not have the same interests. You will have more difficulty doing good works for the Lord. You will not be strengthened in your faith like you need to be. You will not be able to share spiritual things with your spouse. You will not share the same standard of authority (the Bible) for making important decisions.

22. Common Justifications For Marrying Non-Christians “I Can Convert them.” “…he had no intention of going [to worship - MDM] with me in spite of his promises (before marriage) that he would…” – I Did Not Marry a Christian, unknown No Guarantees: 1 Peter 3:1 NKJV 1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives

23. Common Justifications For Marrying Non-Christians “I Can Convert them.” One survey studied 49 Mixed Marriages (Christian marrying non-Christian): 28 left the Lord, 21 remained faithful 9 out of 21 remaining faithful converted their companions 12 out of 21 did not convert their companions That means: Only 43% remained faithful Only 42% Converted their spouse 57% did not convert their spouse Another survey: 25% Who marry a non-Christian become unfaithful!

24. Common Justifications For Marrying Non-Christians “I Can Convert them.” ? ? ? ?

25. Common Justifications For Marrying Non-Christians “I Can Convert them.” “Love will conquer all.” “…love. Ours was different -- I felt there was nothing that could not be overcome” but later admitted, “I was learning a hard, cold fact -- that love was not enough” and asked at least twice in the article, “Where was the love that was going to make all this right?” – I Did Not Marry A Christian, Author Unknown

26. Common Justifications For Marrying Non-Christians Hope: God’s way works! Psalm 18:30–32 (NKJV) 30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 31 For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.

27. Common Justifications For Marrying Non-Christians 2 Suggestions For Those Wanting To Marry: First, Develop Your Faith Second, Pray, Pray, Pray. Proverbs 15:29 (NKJV) 29 The Lordis far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.